Horace

The boys' name Horace represents the English and French variant of the first name Horatius, which is derived from an ancient Roman family name and likely has Etruscan origins. Translated, the name means 'the descendant of the Horatii'.

What does the name Horace mean?

Horace is the English and French form of the name Horatius, which goes back to an ancient Roman family name and presumably has Etruscan roots. Translated, it means 'the descendant of the Horatii'. The exact origins are not definitively clarified but may trace back to the Etruscan word huras. Additionally, there may be connections to the Latin words hora for 'hour', 'time', 'season' or ōrātiō for 'speech', 'discourse', 'language', 'rhetoric'. The Horatii are among the oldest patrician families of ancient Rome. Other variants of the name include Horatio, Horacio, Horatiu, Horaz, and Orazio, while the feminine forms are Horatia and Orazia.

Where does the name Horace come from?

The origin of the name Horace is Etruscan and Latin, with the meaning 'the descendant of the Horatii'. Etruscan: huras = unknown; Latin: hora = hour, time, season or ōrātiō = speech, discourse, language, rhetoric. Languages: English, French.

How do you pronounce Horace?

The sound and pronunciation of Horace: The name is two syllables and has a slightly reduced structure. In German pronunciation, it is usually rendered as 'Ho-räs' or in English as 'Hor-iss' [ˈhɒrɪs]. This creates a clear, calm sound line. The 'r' brings a gentle movement in the middle, while the '-ce' softly fades away. Thus, Horace conveys an impression of calmness and refinement - reserved, clear, and with a classic English character.

Popularity

In Germany, Horace is a rare first name. In 2023, it ranked 5,488th on the list of the most common male first names. In the last ten years, Horace has been given as a first name fewer than ten times, placing it 9,638th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it is ranked 10,904th. The following are the latest rankings in the first name charts of various countries regarding the global popularity and frequency of Horace.

Nicknames & pet names

Ace / Ho / Race

Famous people

• Alfred Horace Gerrard (British sculptor)
• Horace Andy (Reggae singer from Jamaica)
• Horace Bell (American writer)
• Horace Blew (Footballer from Great Britain)
• Horace Brearley (British cricketer)
• Horace Brindley (British footballer)
• Horace Davenport (Swimmer from England)
• Horace de Viel-Castel (Historian from France)
• Horace Duckett (British rugby player)
• Horace Edouard Davinet (Architect from France)
• Horace Eubanks (Jazz musician from America)
• Horace Fletcher (Footballer from England)
• Horace G. Waldlin (Architect from the USA)
• Horace Gaul (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Horace Godfrey Watts (American bishop)
• Horace Grant (Basketball player (Chicago Bulls))
• Horace Gregory (Poet from the USA)
• Horace Gwynne (Canadian boxer)
• Horace Hodges (Actor from Great Britain)
• Horace Jackson (American film director)